SHEFFIELD UNITED: The day Danny Wilson’s men proved their Iron will

James Shield
Sheffield United

Published:07:34Wednesday 26 December 2012

TRAILING on the scoresheet and reduced to nine men following red cards for both Ryan Flynn and captain Michael Doyle, Sheffield United seemed destined to suffer a shock defeat when they visited Scunthorpe three months ago.

But when centre-half Neill Collins snatched a draw with only seven minutes remaining, Danny Wilson discovered plenty about his team.

Yes, quality players such as Stephen Quinn and Matthew Lowton might have been spirited away during the recent transfer window.

But the character of the South Yorkshire club’s squad remained as strong as it had always been.

“We showed a tremendous attitude at their place last time out,” Wilson, whose side host the return fixture at Bramall Lane today, said.

“It was a very contentious game and there were certain things during it I wasn’t happy about.

“But there was lots of good to come out of the match too. And one of those was the proof of the desire this bunch of lads have got.”

Doyle was dismissed after 15 minutes for a challenge on Mike Grella while Flynn walked during the second period after his tackle on Christian Ribeiro was deemed to be high.

Brian Laws, previously of Sheffield Wednesday, returned to Glanford Park when manager Alan Knill was sacked in October.

Wilson said: “There have been a few changes to the personnel there what with Brian coming in and he knows the club as well as anyone. Our meetings with Scunthorpe always seem to be pretty feisty affairs and we’ll prepare for this one to be no different.

“There aren’t too many miles between us and they don’t have far to travel.

“It’s the same when we go to their place of course.

“What happens is that these matches always have the feel of a derby to them.”